exercises for handgun shooters?

[Nanook]

While on the range today, I realized my hands were shaking while my arms were at extension. That ain't right!
So I figured I'm out of shape from not working physically for a while; doing more office type work / supervision. Can anyone recommend upper body exercises that would improve this? Or do you just do general upper body workouts to take care of the problem?

 

[Ktulu]

Dry fire at home.

 

[mack69]

RE:

Along with lots of dry firing at targets....doing things around the house that require manual dexterity will also help, mowing the grass, raking, sweeping, digging, mopping, repairs that require tools...etc....I also have heard of some folk using the small dumbells and holding them out with as you were pointing your gun at a target, and holding them until you can't anymore, then repeating.

 

[Nanook]

I picked up the pace on dry firing, that also helps with sight picture, squeezing rather than jerking, and several other ills. That's a good idea,
guys.
I've also been doing more 'honey-do' since I'm off work at the moment, this may help too.
I like the small dumbbells, that would probably do it in concert with the dry firing. Thanks, gents.

 

[Soap]

Hindu pushups, handstand pushups, the windlass and dryfiring like crazy.

 

[capbuster]

I also recommend doing pushups to keep your upper body in shape.I have found that the daily use of a hand or grip exerciser helps my griping strength.Presently I am using one marketed by Nike which looks like a glob of hard orange jello.

 

[Paul "Fitz" Jones]

Getting in Shape

You are never too old to get in shape and a membership in a gym can put you on the right path for however long it takes you to get the pattern and the will to do better with your body. Once you get the pattern imprinted in your mind there are things you can do at home and things you can make with pullys and a whole series of exercises just using your body without any equipment at all.

To shoot better you may benefit from a change in your lifestyle concerning your whole body, not just your weapon holding arm.

There is some good tips above and another is start casting and lubing your own bullets then loading them by the thousands on a progressive reloader with a target on the wall over your work bench to visualize the purpose of all your efforts and you cannot help but strengthen your arms and shoot better.

 

[ChristopherG]

Amen to what Mr. Jones says. Too many shooters are out there carrying way too much flab and putting time into tiny and tactical details that would be much more wisely spent on a treadmill or a weight bench.

The number one killer of Americans is not violent crime or grizzly bears or blue helmets or anything else we practice and fantasize about defending ourselves from; it's heart disease.

A fitter shooter is also a faster shooter.

 

[VaughnT]

Body-weight exercises are great because they don't req any equipment, but don't forego the gym experience entirely.

The Deltoids (shoulder muscle; aka= cannonballs) are comprised of three heads: Anterior, Medial, Posterior. All three play a part in supporting the arms when extended forward, but the Anterior head takes the lead. Overall development of this structure is critical. Do military presses with a light weight and high repetitions.

Also, don't underestimate the Latisimuss Dorsii and their role in supporting the arms and shoulders.

Oh, yea, and then there's the Trapezius!

Do you see a pattern developing? Whole-body exercise regimens are designed to take the whole body into account because everything is connected in some form or fashion.

Working on squats will make you a better shooter/fighter just like developing a crushing grip. Deadlifts will make you a better shooter/fighter just like doing situps. Deadlifts are actually great as a grip developer, and this is one exercise that really does work the entire damn body!!!

 

[SteelyDan]

Two specific exercises I can recommend. First, fingertip push-ups. Second, an easy isometric exercise where you put your shooting hand, thumb up, a foot in front of your belly button while standing, then place your other hand (palm down) on top of the shooting hand. Then move your shooting hand up, down, sideways, against downward pressure from the non-shooting hand.

Takes about 4 minutes a day, and you'll notice a big improvement in a week or 10 days, and even more improvement after that. This advice comes with my highly-sought lifetime money-back guarantee.

 

[Hal]

I do a lot of 12 oz arm curls - - -

usually when we do our weekly visit to the in-laws......

 

[MP5]

I've been doing light to moderate weightlifting for years. I'm no big burly dude, but I am in good shape from that and daily walks, so when I started shooting, I found it easy to fire for long stretches without tiring. Guns that others have found heavy seem comfortable to me. Simple, light freeweight exercises should, over time, make your hands, arms, and shoulders stronger. Sit-ups/crunches are great for lending support to your whole upper body. And who doesn't want a "sixpack"? To strengthen your grip, perhaps also try these devices that some guitarists use

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/g=home/search/detail/base_pid/429070/

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/g=home/search/detail/base_pid/421170/

 

[dave3006]

Along with all the other exercises, use a hand gripper. They are $4 at big 5. Your shooting will improve dramatically. I have one in my car and use it everyday on the way to work.

 

[El Tejon]

We have a thread on this. "Gunercise" or something like that. IIRC it's in the General section.

 

[Bravo11]

Take a 3 foot rope and tie a weight to one end and a stick to the other. Extend your arms holding the stick and start rolling the rope up.
I saw this on an old gunfighter movie.

 

[Nanook]

El Tejon, I found the thread you're talking about. Excellent stuff there, just didn't find it with my search terms. Of course, I didn't think of 'gunercise'.
I especially like the 'windlass' thing you and megcatia came up with.

Good input by all, and now I have NO excuses.

 

[Kamicosmos]

I'm in a similar situation. (work in IT at a desk all day) I find those little hand gripping things work great...they also help out on the carpal tunnel pain I get from typing all day. I do several isometric exercises throughout the day. A good one I've been doing is I just lift myself up out of my chair to look over my cubicle walls. (Alright, I'll admit it: That's actually a subtle way for me to get a glimpse of the cute girl walking by....)

I do need to do more real exercise though. If I could just get in the habit of doing a few situps and pushups at morning and night, my body strength would improve dramaticly! These desk jobs are killers! (Sometimes, I almost miss my construction and factory job days...but, I like the pay and cleanliness of the IT jobs!)

 

[45R]

GIRLIE MAN We need to PUMP YOU UP!!!!